Self-proclaimed messiah Ronald Larrinaga was sentenced in 1990 to 180 years in prison, for abuse occurring over the 53-day period he and his family and followers lived in Palm Bay in 1987.

Written by

Britt Kennerly
| FLORIDA TODAY

A true-crime tale of physical and sexual abuse, cult mentality and mind control, a harrowing story with ties to Brevard County, hits TV screens tonight.

"Diabolical Discipline," on the Investigation Discovery cable channel, details the crimes of Ronald Larrinaga, a self-proclaimed messiah convicted in June 1990 of 42 counts of physical and sexual abuse against five of his children. The show, which airs at 10 p.m., is the season finale of the "Dangerous Persuasions" series.

Larrinaga, then 54, was under investigation for similar offenses in Texas when he fled to Palm Bay. He was captured, ...